Board to address Elburn Station

ELBURN – The Elburn Village Board will meet Tuesday with trustees expected to work on details of the proposed Elburn Station development.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 301 E. North St., Elburn.

Trustees this month have debated the details as they compile a list to bring to developer ShoDeen. A vote was expected on the plan last year, but trustees opted to table the discussion on the development, which is projected to bring about 2,200 homes into the village in an area near the Metra station.

Village President Dave Anderson said the idea is to get written comments and “some consensus” from the board to take to ShoDeen. In opting to table the issue, some board members indicated they had concerns over the number of multifamily units. Some wanted to be certain that the developer not be allowed to start work on a plat until the previous plat was nearly finished. And some are pushing for details about what ShoDeen would pay on a pedestrian bridge that is planned for the project.

There is some urgency because land owned by ShoDeen would be used for an extension of Anderson Road, including a bridge that would offer a crossing of the train tracks. Without an annexation deal in place for Elburn Station, it’s unlikely that ShoDeen would sell the land needed for the project. County Board member Drew Frasz appeared at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, and he said thousands of dollars in federal funding could be at risk if the project is delayed much longer.

Village residents have spoken on the topic at recent meetings. One resident, Tom Gush, said he will be there to offer support for the Elburn Station plans. He said because residents have been vocal against the project – for instance, resident Ron Rosecky has spoken at many meetings against Elburn Station – people may think most are against the project. Gush, a nine-year resident, said there are many residents in Elburn “who are interested in moving this project forward.”

Gush said he fears if the issue is put off much longer, the village will lose the money for the bridge.

“If we don’t do that, then I think the future of Elburn is pretty much a loss, as far as I’m concerned,” Gush said.

If you go

The Elburn Village Board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 301 E. North St. in Elburn.